The Global Health Body Issues Concern Over Critical Scarcity of Obesity Medications

Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.

Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.

Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.

"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the organization.

GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity

Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.

The recommendation encourages governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches including patent sharing.

A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.

The Way Obesity Injections Function

GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.

Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.

Studies points to people may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, because their typical food cravings come back.

Being overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.

Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.